Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2003 12:35:09 +0000 (GMT)
From: Jezebel
Subject: Set Adrift - Second Chances Epilogue
Title: Set Adrift - Second Chances
Author: Jezebel the Temptress
Feedback: eh_oh_po@yahoo.com
Disclaimers: This is fiction. Ben and Sully are figments of my imagination
and The Backstreet Boys are strangers to me and not gay. This has not
truth to it. This is for adults only, that's over 18 or 21, depending on
your country.
***
Epilogue.
Alex smiled at the annoyance on Kevin's face as he strolled into the studio
hand in hand with Sully and twenty minutes late. It was the first day the
Backstreet Boys would be back in the studio and Alex believed in starting
as you mean to go on. They all wanted a more laid back approach to their
fourth studio album both to reflect their ages and their growing lives
outside of the band. Recording was to be spread over six weeks with plenty
of time for ideas and time off. It was probably the only way that they
would get back into the studio at all.
"You're late." Kevin said, pointing out something that Alex thought far too
obvious to mention. "Just because we have more studio time it does not
mean that we can afford to take it easy. Not if we want to make this a
success."
"Chill out Kev." Alex said. "We make a success of everything that we do.
We're Backstreet Boys, remember?"
Kevin felt a little of his anger recede as he realised that this was the
first time that they had seen anything of the AJ arrogance that had once
annoyed him. After Alex had left rehab it was like all of the bravado had
gone but so too had any self esteem and confidence that Alex owned.
Finally there was a little of the old Alex back and despite being angry at
his tardiness Kevin thought maybe he could let it go just this once.
"It's my fault that we're late really." Sully said, a slight colour rising
in his cheeks.
Kevin thought that it was better to leave that alone. He thought of Alex
as a younger sibling and he didn't want to know about his sex life.
"Well, you're here now. Best to get started."
"Where's Nick?" Alex asked, not sure how they could start when there were
only four of their number there.
"He and Ben are getting some breakfast." Brian replied. "It seems that
you're not the only ones that left the house in a hurry this morning."
"Eew...TMI." Alex said with a frown. He was happy that Nick was finally
happy but the less said about his sex habits the better.
"So, what did you all get up to on break...?" Alex asked, wanting to change
the subject and trying to make conversation.
Howie looked as if he was about to respond when Nick came bursting into the
room with his usual lack of tact and discretion.
"Turn on the TV..." Nick said to Kevin as he bounded into the room. Kevin
paused a moment, wondering when, if ever, he had taken orders from Nick.
He was about to lean over and turn the switch on anyway when he realised
that Nick had not stopped and had headed for the television set in the
corner immediately. A moment later MTV came on playing one of their
earlier songs.
"Did you just want to reminisce?" Kevin asked sarcastically, wondering what
the big surprise was.
As he said it the image on the television changed and instead it was Nsync
on the screen.
"...Boyband creator Lou Pearlman was last night arrested for tax evasion
and insurance fraud which is said to date back a number of years. The man
who was once described as a close friend to both the Backstreet Boys and
Nsync has in recent times found less success than with his earlier acts but
continued to seek out new talent however it appears that he was not so good
at the business arrangements as he had thought. If found guilty Pearlman
could face potential bankcrupcy and the possibility of jail time. It is
not yet known to what extent these charges will reach..."
The reporter continued but Alex no longer wanted to pay attention to the
story, he was more interested in Sully's reaction. His lover was white and
shaking as if he had seen a ghost.
"Sully?" Alex asked softly. "Are you okay?"
"It's over." Sully said emotionally as he fought back the tears. "He can't
touch us anymore."
"No one can." Alex said as he took Sully's hand in his own and interlocked
their fingers. "No one can."
Lou Pearlman was a shadow that had hung over all of their lives and the
lives of those that they cared for but they were out of his reach and for
the first time it looked as if he may be out of their lives. The seven men
continued to watch the news, each realising that this was an end for them
and that maybe it was also the chance for a new beginning.
***
***
***
THE END
Notes: Yes, this really is the end. "Set Adrift" will always be my
favourite story because it was one of my first in this genre but I've come
to the end of my creativity where Sully is concerned and I have newer
characters that are begging to be written. At over 200 pages this is
something of an epic and I want to thank those of you that have battled
your way through to read to the end. You are the people that make this
worthwhile so I hope I did you proud.
Jez - November 2003